IUML to stage mass protests, to move apex court

Kozhikode: IUML has decided to stage protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill across the country starting off with a mega waqf protection rally to be held in Kozhikode on April 16.
The decision was taken at the emergency online leadership of the party on Friday, which was inaugurated by chairman of political advisory committee Panakkad Sadikali Shihab Thangal and presided over by party national president Khader Moideen.
The meeting resolved to organize protests at the national level and approach the Supreme Court, highlighting the Bill's unconstitutionality. Protests will also be organized in Delhi and other northern states.
Party leaders said that each state committee will decide and announce the dates for protests in their respective states. The meeting noted that Bill was a blatant violation of religious freedom and entrusted party national general secretary P K Kunhalikutty and IUML MPs with the task of moving the SC on the matter.
Thangal stated that the Waqf (Amendment) Bill is similar to the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAA) brought by the second Modi govt and added that there would be a massive popular struggle, uniting secular democratic forces, against it.
The meeting declared that the nation is about to witness a popular protest similar to the protest against the CAA and added that IUML would be in the forefront of it.
Samastha mouthpiece slams Priyanka's absence
Samastha mouthpiece Suprabhatham in its editorial flayed the absence of Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi during the discussions on Waqf (Amendment) Bill in LS saying it would remain a stain, and the question about her absence will remain in memory.
The editorial said that the Bill was the biggest assault on Muslims and the country's secularism after the Babri Masjid demolition. "Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi, whom the nation had looked forward to with much expectations, was not present in Parliament by violating the party's whip and it has become a stain. The question where Priyanka Gandhi was when BJP bulldozed the Constitutional rights of Muslims will remain forever," the editorial said.
It said that the question as to why the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi did not speak against the the divisive Bill will also echo forever.
Meanwhile, IUML national general secretary P K Kunhalikutty said that Congress had strongly opposed the Bill in Parliament and added that it was vested interests who were trying to create such a narrative.
"Sonia Gandhi was in the Rajya Sabha till the wee hours on Thursday. She went back only at 3pm. Some are not seeing that. It is some vested interests who are behind such news. What is needed now is not disagreement. There is no need to create news to enable BJP to exploit the situation. Congress has taken a strong stand on the issue," Kunhalikutty said.